12.9. The cooperation with intergovernmental and International Organizations

There is a long-standing tradition of co-operation with the Council of Europe, especially with the European Pharmacopoeia. This has facilitated the relations between the European Union and candidate countries, the European free trade Association (EFTA) and other neighbours from “wider Europe”.

Co-operation with International Organisations has been established through specific arrangements for co-operation such as those with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Council of Europe in the form of official exchanges of letters and accession to specific treaties. Moreover, work is underway with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for the collection of data on health care. Strengthening partnerships with international organisations such as the WHO is a key element in the implementation of the Public Health Programme and is important to ensure synergy of activities and avoid overlapping when pursuing common goals.

The variety of international EU initiatives in recent years can be illustrated with several examples:

·         supporting health in developing countries;

·          the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC);

·          revision of the International Health Regulations (IHR);

·          development of aid activities related to poverty diseases;

international Conference for the Harmonization (ICH) of pharmaceuticals.